ECU hosts former U.S. Comptroller General
The College of Business at East Carolina University will host The Honorable David M. Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General, as its fourth speaker in the Cunanan Leadership Speaker Series.
Walker’s presentation, “Keeping America Great,” is free and open to the public. The event will be held at the Hilton Greenville on Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m. U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is scheduled to attend the event and introduce the speaker.
In March 2008, Walker left his position as U.S. Comptroller General, where he served as the nation’s top auditor as well as head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). He held both presidential appointments for 10 years.
Walker currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the newly-established Peter G. Peterson Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and action regarding several key issues facing the U.S., including health care, energy, education, entitlement benefits, and national debt. The Peterson Foundation was established with a $1 billion endowment by Peter Peterson, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and senior chairman and co-founder of The Blackstone Group.
Frederick Niswander, dean of the College of Business, said, “Mr. Walker is a dynamic speaker with an important message for our country – we need to get our financial house in order. As one of the nation’s foremost financial authorities, his insight will be both enriching and enlightening.”
In July 2007, the College of Business announced the establishment of the Cunanan Leadership Speaker Series, made possible by a gift from alumni Steve and Ellen Cunanan of Richboro, Pa. Matching funds were also provided by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation. The Series is designed to bring distinguished leaders to Greenville, representing for-profit and non-profit firms, entrepreneurial activities, government, and public affairs. Topics highlight leadership, professional development, ethics, and the role of business in modern society.
Another upcoming installment of the Cunanan Leadership Speaker Series will feature Loretta Penn, chief service excellence officer of the Spherion Corporation, on Feb. 12. In addition, Erik Peterson, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will speak on April 2.
-Jennifer Brezina